The infamous singer-songwriter held the audience at the O2 Academy Sheffield in the palm of his hands with his life-affirming indie rock.
After Jamie Treays, AKA Jamie T, made his triumphant return to live music at Glastonbury in June after a five-year hiatus, fans across the country were waiting with bated breath for a UK tour to be announced.
Closing his legendary set to a packed John Peel tent he thanked his audience by saying that "he couldn’t give a f*ck” if anyone comes to see him any more. “I’d play to an empty room,” he said. “I don’t care.”
This won't be happening anytime soon though, as the 36-year-old's UK tour showcasing his new album The Theory of Whatever sold out in mere minutes.
We were lucky enough to attend his gig at the O2 Academy in Sheffield which saw the snaggle-toothed guitarist transport his audience back to the noughties with a night of mayhem and bedlam.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Entrance to the O2 Academy in Sheffield was stress-free and efficient, we had our tickets checked in no time, drinks served within minutes and we felt in safe hands throughout.
Taking to the stage dressed in a navy oversized denim jacket, matching jeans and a black baseball cap, Jamie T had the crowd roaring from the moment a single chord was heard from his acoustic guitar.
Openers '90s Cars' and 'Old Style Raiders' are both tracks from his new album and were met with elated cheers, the crowd trying their best to keep up with his fast paced, rap-style singing which is undeniably recognised as his trademark sound.
'So Lonely Was the Ballad' takes us promptly back to the mid-noughties and reminds us of the time when T's speak-singing, half-rap, idiosyncratic beat had us all glued to our portable CD players.
A two-song acoustic interlude is punctuated with a dimming of the lights and a band member perching on a stool with a ukulele, the crowd were given a time to breathe and take in the pure brilliance of Jamie and his talented band.
Image: Jamie T
"This is our last song," T tells the crowd before launching into an electric version of 'If You Got The Money', and from here on out it's a sea of air-punching, flailing limbs across the floor.
Jamie and his band walk off stage, the crowd is pulsating with anticipation to finally rock out to arguably his three biggest tracks.
The intro to 'Sheila' draws the biggest roar of the night, with the opening lyrics 'Sheila goes out with her mate Stella' sung unanimously in perfect synchronisation across the 2,300 capacity of the O2.
Next up the moment we've all been waiting for, 'Sticks n Stones' causes an eruption of excitement with the floor pounding thanks to a rhythmic thundering of feet.
Image: Chuff Media
To finish an incredible night, the melodic opening of 'Zombie' had us eagerly anticipating the artist's most iconic chorus. Jamie teased us with a "wait for it..." and then after allowing a monumental mosh pit to form in the centre of the floor, shocked us with an electric closing performance of the iconic track.
Two thousand people left sweaty, smiling and singing along to Jamie T's iconic repertoire of anthems. The way he commanded his audience after a notable time out of the spotlight was truly impressive and marks his position as a legend of British indie music.
The singer-songwriter is continuing his tour across the UK which ends in Portsmouth on 22 November 2022. If you didn't manage to grab tickets to this tour, next summer the Londoner will play his biggest headline show to date at the 45,000 capacity Finsbury Park.
Thank you to Chuff Media for inviting us to this event.
A nationwide temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has been issued.
Following the UK's fourth heatwave of the summer, and as many regions declare drought conditions, the Government has made the decision to issue a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk.
A disposable barbecue is defined as a fuel tray or grill grid that includes charcoal fuel 'sufficient to provide cooking temperature for the duration of a single cooking episode'.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as a 'tinderbox' and urged 'all retailers big and small' to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires, but following the shocking scenes in Stourbridge which raged overnight, it appears this has been escalated to a formal temporary ban.
The ban applies to all producers and distributors of the product - including retailers that make disposable barbecues available on the British market - and includes online sales too.
A Government statement reads: "During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the Government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
"They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
"These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks."
Featured Image - Dom (via Unsplash)
News
A brand-new kite festival is coming to a country house in Leeds next weekend
Clementine Hall
Colourful kites will paint the sky next weekend as Lotherton Hall is gearing up for its first ever Kite Festival.
Taking place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, over 30 kites of all different colours, shapes and sizes will take to the sky, flown by professional fliers from all over the country.
Visitors can expect some of the world’s largest inflatable kites, and you may even spot some in the shape of your favourite character.
Not only that, but children can bring in their bravest teddies that will, weather permitting, be dropped from the sky, equipped with parachutes so they can sail down safely to their owners.
Image: Supplied
Entry to the kite festival is included in the Lotherton Hall admission, where there will also be a fun house, bumper cars and face painting as well as food stalls to keep you fuelled up for the day.
The festival is organised by The Northern Kite Group who are behind the hugely popular kite festivals in Filey, Bridlington and Redcar, so you just know we're in for a treat.
Councillor James Gibson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment, said: “We’re very excited to be bringing this kite festival to Lotherton for the very first time, one which I’m sure will be a brilliant day out for the whole family.
“Lotherton is one of our most loved attractions and it has so much to offer for the summer, with a full activity schedule for the school holidays as well as Wildlife World and deer park tours.”
Sarah Duncalf, secretary from Northern Kite Group said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing a kite festival to Lotherton this summer. The sight of spectacular kites filling the sky is something visitors won’t want to miss.
“From giant inflatable characters and breathtaking displays to our ever-popular teddy bear parachute drop, there will be plenty to entertain the whole family. We’re looking forward to creating a weekend full of colour, excitement and unforgettable memories, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
Clementine Hall -
16th November 2022 
